August 21st is a day set aside to honor and recognize senior citizens for their past and present contributions to our society. In his proclamation establishing National Senior Citizens Day in 1988, President Ronald Reagan said we should use the day to show our gratitude and esteem to our older citizens. Following are five ways you can honor your senior loved one.
1. Throw a Surprise Party
Surprise parties do not have to be just for birthdays. Use National Senior Citizens Day as an opportunity to show your aging loved one just how much he or she is appreciated. To make the event extra special, consider using a retro theme with games and music from your loved one’s younger days.
This National Senior Citizens Day, observe your senior loved one’s health and wellbeing. If your loved one needs assistance with daily tasks or managing the symptoms of a disease, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Jefferson County non-medical home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
2. Make a Donation
If you have a difficult time thinking of a gift for your loved one because he or she already seems to have everything, consider making a donation to your loved one’s favorite charity. Your loved one will appreciate the sentiment, and you will be helping someone in need instead of spending money on an item that may not be used. The website charitynavigator.org is an easy way to locate and research thousands of local, national, and international charities.
3. Send a Care Package
Even if you live too far to show your appreciation in person, you can still let your loved one know you are thinking about him or her by sending a care package. Your elderly loved one might appreciate new slippers, puzzle books, DVDs, toiletries, and hobby supplies. Make sure to include a handwritten note and the latest pictures of the family.
Sending a care package is one of the many ways to brighten your loved one’s day. Hiring a professionally trained caregiver can also ensure your loved one leads a happier, healthier, and more productive life. Find out how a Jefferson County, CO, home caregiver can help your senior loved one enjoy a higher quality of life by reaching out to Home Care Assistance. All of our professional respite and live-in caregivers are trained in comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care, and they can also assist seniors with basic daily tasks like exercise, cooking, bathing, and light housekeeping.
4. Create a Video
Even if your family is scattered across the country, you can still work together to tell your loved one how much he or she means to you. All you need is a cell phone and a computer to create a personalized video. Each family member can record messages and send them to a designated person to compile into one video complete with music and a slideshow of favorite family photos. If you are not tech savvy, you can always let a younger family member exercise his or her creativity and computer expertise.
5. Volunteer
If you are unable to spend the day with your loved one, honor him or her with a day of service. For example, you can serve meals at your local senior center or offer to help an elderly neighbor with chores around the home. Even nursing homes may allow volunteers to help with certain activities. If you know a family caregiver, offer to spend the day caring for his or her family member so he or she can have a day of rest.
Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Jefferson County, CO, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. Whether your loved one needs comprehensive care or you need respite from your caregiving duties, give us a call at (303) 987-5992 today.